Golf-practicing apparatus

ABSTRACT

As a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, a circular bearing carrying at least one simulated golf ball and a dynamically associated counterbalance is loosely mounted on a tapered axle having axially spaced sections of different diameters which are each less than the internal diameter of the bearing. The axle includes a central cylindrical portion arranged between frustoconical end portions, which portions are coincidentally aligned along a common axis. The taper of the frustoconical sections is outward from the cylindrical section toward an outer end diameter that may be either smaller or larger than the diameter of the central cylindrical section. In this manner, only when the ball is struck squarely will the ball rotate about the axle without either wobbling or carrying the rotating assembly laterally along the axle to a different position. On the other hand, when the ball is struck offcenter, the rotating assembly will seek an axial position along the tapered axle which is representative of the misdirection of the golfer&#39;&#39;s swing.

United States Patent Ravatt [4 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] GOLF-PRACTICING APPARATUS Hugh M. Ravatt, Aurora, C010. [73] Assignee: John P. Kreisheirner, a part interest [22] Filed: Dec. 31, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 103,103

[72] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney-Ernest R. Archambeau, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT As a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, a circular bearing carrying at least one simulated golf ball and a dynamically associated counterbalance is loosely mounted on a tapered axle having axially spaced sections of different diameters which are each less than the internal diameter of the hearing. The axle includes a central cylindrical portion arranged between frustoconical end portions, which portions are coincidentally aligned along a common axis. The taper of the frustoconical sections is outward from the cylindrical section toward an outer end diameter that may be either smaller or larger than the diameter of the central cylindrical section. In this manner, only when the ball is struck squarely will the ball rotate about the axle without either wobbling or carrying the rotating assembly laterally along the axle to a difierent position. On the other hand, when the ball is struck offcenter, the rotating assembly will seek an axial position along the tapered axle which is representative of the misdirection of the golfers swing.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENIEDMAR 71972 Hugh M. Ravatt FIG! FIG. 3

IN VE N TOR ATTORNEY GOLF-PRACTICING APPARATUS Golfing enthusiasts often wish to practice driving golf balls without going to either a practice range or a golf course. To this end, innumerable proposals have been made heretofore for providing golfers with suitable practice devices that can be safely employed either indoors or outdoors.

Although some of these prior art devices have met with limited success, they have generally been either too complex and expensive for the average golfer or else they are so simple that the user cannot reliably discern whether or not he is accurately striking the practice ball. For example, a typical practice device of the first type may include a plurality of electrical indicator lights (as in US. Pat. No. 2,179,891) or a group of deflectable pointers (as in US. Pat. No. 3,517,938) for indicating the accuracy of the golfers swing. On the other hand, the simpler practice devices (such as those shown in US. Pats. Nos. 1,982,525 and 2,510,266) typically incorporate a practice ball that is merely tethered to the free end of a spring having its other end rotatably coupled to a base; and are, therefore, totally incapable of indicating whether the ball is struck squarely.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide golf-practicing apparatus of an inexpensive and rugged design which will nevertheless reliably indicate the accuracy of the golfers swing. v

This and other objects of the present invention are attained by mounting an axle having a cylindrical intermediate portion and tapered end portions on a suitably base. A dynamically balanced rotatable assembly including an annular bearing carrying a ball and a suitable counterbalance is loosely coupled on the intermediate portion of the axle and adapted for either rotation about the cylindrical shaft portion whenever the ball is squarely struck or rotation combined with lateral movement along the axle onto one of the tapered axle portions whenever the ball is struck offcenter.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by way of the following description of exemplary apparatus employing the principles of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts golf-practicing apparatus arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a rotating assembly for the new and improved apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and one embodiment of an axle for the rotating assembly; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of an axle which may also be employed with the rotating assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment is shown of a golf-practicing device incorporating the principles of the present invention as the apparatus will appear when in readiness for use. As illustrated, the practice apparatus 10 includes a rigid base 11 of a suitable material providing an elevated platform 12 having a generally horizontal, planar upper surface of convenient size and dimensions on which either a right-handed or left-handed golfer may comfortably stand in a normal stance for properly addressing a golf ball. Although the platform 12 may be of various shapes, it is preferred to shape the platform in the illustrated generally trapezoidal configuration and position its upper surface at a convenient elevation by means of a number of legs or side rails as at 13. If desired, suitable indicia as at 14 can be placed on the platform 12 to designate the proper placement of the users feet. To facilitate transportation of the practice device 10, one or more wheels, as at 15, may be cooperatively mounted on a side or the rear wall of the base 11 so that the device may be tipped up onto the wheels and moved to a desired location.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a partially cross-sectioned enlarged view is shown of a portion of the practice device 10 to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown there, an opening 16 is formed in the platform 12 and a new and improved rotatable assembly 17 is cooperatively journaled on a horizontal shaft or axle 18 mounted on the underside of the base 11 adjacent to and just below the opening. As depicted, the uniquely shaped axle I8 is secured at its opposite ends to the base 11 by mounting means such as a pair of brackets 19 and 20 that are cooperatively arranged to position the axle just below the opening 16 with the longitudinal axis 21 of the axle being substantially parallel to the top surface of the platform 12. The rotatable assembly 17 further includes an annular bearing such as a ring or a typical bearing 22 which is rotatably journaled on the axle l8 and has a short, rigid rod 23 connected to the bearing race and extended outwardly therefrom in a generally radial direction from the axis 21. A simulated golf ball 24 of a suitable impact-resistant material is secured to the outer end of the rod 23 in a convenient manner such as by embedding an enlarged head 25 on the rod into the ball as it is being molded during the manufacture of the rotatable assembly 17.

To dynamically balance the rotatable assembly 17, one or more counterweights must, of course, be dynamically distributed around the bearing 22. In the preferred embodiment of the rotatable assembly 17, dynamic balance of the assembly is accomplished by arranging second and third rods and balls, as at 26-29, on the bearing 22 which are each identical in mass and length to the rod 23 and ball 24 and symmetrically distributed around the bearing race for rotation in the same vertical plane of rotation. It will, of course, be appreciated that dynamic balance of the rotatable assembly 17 can also be effectively accomplished by arranging only one counterbalancing rod and ball on the ring 22 which are diametrically opposite from the rod and ball 23 and 24. The use of three balls as at 24, 27 and 29 will, however, present the user of the practice device 10 with a plurality of targets for striking.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the axle 18 is uniquely shaped to provide an intermediate cylindrical section 30 between similar or identical oppositely directed frustoconical end sections 31 and 32 which are respectively tapered from a diameter corresponding to that of the intermediate section to a somewhat larger diameter at or near the opposite ends of the axle. To facilitate the installation of the rotatable assembly 17 on the axle 18, the axle may be made in two pieces which are threadedly coupled, as at 33, to one another,

Of particular significance to the present invention, it will be noted that the internal diameter of the bearing 22 is somewhat greater than the diameter of the intermediate axle section 30; so that, as it rotates, the rotatable assembly 17 is also free to move longitudinally along the axle 18 for continued rotation about either of the two tapered end sections 31 and 32. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the maximum diameters of the two end sections 31 and 32 are slightly greater than the internal diameter of the bearing 22 so as to prevent the rotatable assembly 17 from shifting completely off of the axle 18 as the assembly is rotating.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that in the normal start ing position of the rotatable assembly 17, the bearing 22 will be loosely disposed on the intermediate axle section 30 and one of the balls 24, 27 or 29 will be positioned in the opening 16 at a level above the platform 12 generally corresponding to the usual height of a golf ball resting on a tee. Thus, when the erect ball 24 is struck by a golf club, the resulting impact will initiate rapid rotation of the rotatable assembly 17 about the axle 18.

Those skilled in the game of golf will, of course, appreciate that unless a golf ball is struck squarely on center, the ball can do any one of four things. If, for example, a golf ball is struck on either side of its center of impact, a rapid spin will be imparted to the ball causing it to veer laterally to one side or the other of what would otherwise be an ideal straight-line flight. On the other hand, if a golf ball is struck either below or above its center of impact, the ball will not travel nearly as far as it would had it been accurately struck. In any case, should a golf ball not be struck squarely on center, the resulting flight or action of the ball will be directly influenced by the degree of eccentricity between the actual point of impact and the intended idealistic point of impact. it is, of course, the fundamental purpose of the new and improved practice device to provide meaningful indications to the user which are representative of how accurately or inaccurately he has struck the practice ball 24, 27 or 29.

Thus, by virtue of the unique arrangement of the present invention, it will be recognized that if one of the practice balls 24, 27 or 29 is struck squarely, the rotatable assembly 17 will simply rotate at a rapid rate about the intermediate axle section 30 with little or no lateral shifting or wobbling in relation to the idealistic vertical plane of rotation of the assembly. On the other hand, should the user inadvertently top the practice ball 24, 27 or 29, the resulting spin of the rotatable assembly 17 about the intermediate axle section 30 will, at best, be noticeably reduced in relation to what should normally be expected. Striking under the ball 24, 27 or 29 will, however, develop a somewhat reduced, but noticeably eccentric, rotation of the rotatable assembly 17 about the intermediate cylindrical section 30. It will be appreciated that some poorly directed swings will simply cause the rotatable assembly 17 to slide off of the intermediate axle section with little or no rotation.

Of perhaps greater importance to the average weekend golfer, should one of the practice balls 24, 27 or 29 be struck to one side of its true center of impact, the rotatable assembly l7 will begin rotating in an eccentric or wildly erratic fashion which will immediately carry the assembly outwardly onto one or the other of the two tapered axle sections 31 or 32 for continued rotation thereabout in a plane of rotation which is axially displaced to one side of the central plane of rotation. Thus, the ultimate path of rotation of the rotatable assembly 17 will be directly related to whether the practice ball 24, 27 or 29 is either struck squarely or is struck to one side or the other of the true center of impact of the ball.

Other unique arrangements can also be employed with equal advantage to achieve meaningful changes in the rotational path of the rotatable assembly 17 which will demonstrate how accurately or inaccurately it is struck by a golf club. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the axle 18 can be replaced with an axle 18 having a cylindrical intermediate section 30 with tapered frustoconical end sections 31' and 32 which are tapered to smaller ends rather than larger ends. It will be appreciated, however, that as the rotatable assembly 17 rotates erratically about the axle l8 and reaches one of the end sections 31' and 32', it will move or slide rapidly down the tapered surface to the end of the axle.

Accordingly, it will be recognized that the new and improved practice apparatus of the present invention will provide a golfing enthusiast with a simple, but useful, practice device for improving his golfing skills. By mounting one or more practice balls on a bearing which is disposed and dynamically balanced for rotation about an axle having a cylindrical section and at least one adjacent tapered or frustoconical section, the ball will assume a rotational path which is indicative of the accuracy of the user's swing. As described previously, if the ball is struck truly, its resulting path of rotation will be generally around the cylindrical portion of the axle. On the other hand, if the ball is struck eccentrically from its true center of impact, it will spin in an erratic path which carries it along the axle onto the tapered section. Once this occurs, the rotational path of the spinning ball will be dramatically affected to clearly indicate to the user that his swing was inaccurate.

While only particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects; and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Golf-practicing apparatus comprising: a base having a generally planar surface and adapted to be stationed for placing said base surface in an upwardly facing generally horizontal position; and elongated axle having a cylindrical intermediate portion arranged between frustoconical tapered end portions and coincidentally aligned along a common axis; mounting means on said base adapted for supporting said axle below and generally parallel to said base surface when said base surface is in its said horizontal position; and a dynamically balanced rotatable assembly cooperatively arranged on said axle for rotation thereabout in a generally vertical plane as well as free longitudinal travel along said axle portions when said base surface is in its said horizontal position and including a simulated golf ball mounted radially outwardly from said axis for striking by a golf club being swung downwardly and toward said base surface so that whenever said ball is struck truly said rotatable assembly will rotate in said vertical plane about said intermediate axle portion to indicate that said ball was struck truly and whenever said ball is struck eccentrically said rotatable assembly will travel longitudinally outwardly along said axle onto one of said tapered end portions to indicate that said ball was struck eccentrically.

2. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermediate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters larger than that of said intermediate axle portion.

3. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermediate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters smaller than that of said intermediate axle portion.

4. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base surface has a first portion having an opening arranged therein through which said ball projects and a second portion adjacent to said first portion adapted for supporting a user of said golf-practicing apparatus.

5. Golf-practicing apparatus comprising: a base having a generally planar platform with an opening arranged therein and supports adapted for elevating said platform to a generally horizontal position; an elongated axle having a cylindrical intermediate portion arranged between frustoconical tapered end portions and coincidentally aligned along a common axis; mounting means on said base for supporting said axle below said opening and generally parallel to said platform; bearing means rotatably mounted on said axle and having an internal diameter larger than that of said intermediate axle portion to allow free longitudinal travel of said bearing means onto at least a major portion of each of said tapered axle portions; a simulated golf ball; means including a rigid shaft securing said ball to said bearing means for retaining said ball at a selected radial distance away from said axle to allow said ball to project through said opening above said platform whenever said ball is above said axle and be in position for being struck by a golf club being swung downwardly and toward said opening; and means on said bearing means and adapted for dynamically balancing said ball so that whenever said ball is stuck truly said ball will rotate in a generally vertical plane of rotation about said intermediate axle portion to indicate that said ball was struck truly and whenever said ball is struck eccentrically said ball and bearing means will shift longitudinally outwardly along said axle onto one of said tapered end portions to indicate that said ball was struck eccentrically.

6. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermediate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters larger than that of said intermediate axle portion.

7. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermediate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters smaller than that of said intermediate axle portion.

8. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said platform includes a surface adjacent to said opening adapted for carrying the feet of a user of said golf-practicing apparatus.

9. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for dynamically balancing said ball include at least a second simulated golf ball and a second rigid shaft securing said second ball to said bearing means at a selected angular and radial position in relation to the first-mentioned simulated golf ball to dynamically balance said simulated golf balls for rotation about said axle.

l0. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bearing means include inner and outer coaxially arranged 5 rings and rotational bearing members cooperatively arranged between said rings, said i temal diameter being that of said inner ring, said shaft being ecured to said outer ring. 

1. Golf-practicing apparatus comprising: a base having a generally planar surface and adapted to be stationed for placing said base surface in an upwardly facing generally horizontal position; and elongated axle having a cylindrical intermediate portion arranged between frustoconical tapered end portions and coincidentally aligned along a common axis; mounting means on said base adapted for supporting said axle below and generally parallel to said base surface when said base surface is in its said horizontal position; and a dynamically balanced rotatable assembly cooperatively arranged on said axle for rotation thereabout in a generally vertical plane as well as free longitudinal travel along said axle portions when said base surface is in its said horizontal position and including a simulated golf ball mounted radially outwardly from said axis for striking by a golf club being swung downwardly and toward said base surface so that whenever said ball is struck truly said rotatable assembly will rotate in said vertical plane about said intermediate axle portion to indicate that said ball was struck truly and whenever said ball is struck eccentrically said rotatable assembly will travel longitudinally outwardly along said axle onto one of said tapered end portions to indicate that said ball was struck eccentrically.
 2. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermediate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters larger than that of said intermediate axle portion.
 3. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermEdiate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters smaller than that of said intermediate axle portion.
 4. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base surface has a first portion having an opening arranged therein through which said ball projects and a second portion adjacent to said first portion adapted for supporting a user of said golf-practicing apparatus.
 5. Golf-practicing apparatus comprising: a base having a generally planar platform with an opening arranged therein and supports adapted for elevating said platform to a generally horizontal position; an elongated axle having a cylindrical intermediate portion arranged between frustoconical tapered end portions and coincidentally aligned along a common axis; mounting means on said base for supporting said axle below said opening and generally parallel to said platform; bearing means rotatably mounted on said axle and having an internal diameter larger than that of said intermediate axle portion to allow free longitudinal travel of said bearing means onto at least a major portion of each of said tapered axle portions; a simulated golf ball; means including a rigid shaft securing said ball to said bearing means for retaining said ball at a selected radial distance away from said axle to allow said ball to project through said opening above said platform whenever said ball is above said axle and be in position for being struck by a golf club being swung downwardly and toward said opening; and means on said bearing means and adapted for dynamically balancing said ball so that whenever said ball is stuck truly said ball will rotate in a generally vertical plane of rotation about said intermediate axle portion to indicate that said ball was struck truly and whenever said ball is struck eccentrically said ball and bearing means will shift longitudinally outwardly along said axle onto one of said tapered end portions to indicate that said ball was struck eccentrically.
 6. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermediate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters larger than that of said intermediate axle portion.
 7. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said axle end portions are respectively tapered uniformly from said intermediate axle portion and outwardly therefrom to diameters smaller than that of said intermediate axle portion.
 8. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said platform includes a surface adjacent to said opening adapted for carrying the feet of a user of said golf-practicing apparatus.
 9. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for dynamically balancing said ball include at least a second simulated golf ball and a second rigid shaft securing said second ball to said bearing means at a selected angular and radial position in relation to the first-mentioned simulated golf ball to dynamically balance said simulated golf balls for rotation about said axle.
 10. The golf-practicing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bearing means include inner and outer coaxially arranged rings and rotational bearing members cooperatively arranged between said rings, said internal diameter being that of said inner ring, said shaft being secured to said outer ring. 